Gaia Pope, who has been missing since 7 November.
Photograph: Dorset police/PA

Police searching for Gaia Pope said they were “confident” that the body found on Saturday close to where some of her clothing was identified earlier in the week was that of the missing teenager.

The 19-year-old had not been seen since she vanished from the Swanage area in Dorset on the afternoon of 7 November. The discovery of the body was made on land south of the town as more than 100 people including police, coastguard, the fire brigade and Dorset search and rescue joined the search to to look for her.

The volunteers were thanked by PC Simon Colvin, the neighbourhood officer for Swanage, who told them: “The community has done an amazing job of coming together to help. Some of you are local and some of you have travelled a long way. I understand someone has travelled over 300 miles to come and help today. People’s help really is appreciated.”

The teenager’s father, Richard Sutherland, had also joined volunteers who gathered at Durlston country park on Saturday afternoon to help with the search. Det Supt Paul Kessell, of Dorset police’s major crime investigation team, said the body was found at around 3pm.

“Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers,” he said. “Our thoughts remain with all of her family and friends at this very traumatic time. They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point. The coroner has been notified and further forensic examination will continue. This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained.

“I would like to thank the community for their support and understanding while this large-scale investigation continues and their efforts in looking for Gaia. We have received a huge amount of support from the public who have contacted us with possible sightings of Gaia and items of found clothing. I can confirm that we have recovered all the clothing we believe Gaia was wearing when she disappeared and, with thanks, we no longer require the public to assist with searches.”

During the 11 days since she went missing, detectives have arrested and released under investigation three people, Rosemary Dinch, a 71-year-old woman, her 19-year-old nephew Nathan Elsey and her 49-year-old son Paul Elsey.

Pope had severe epilepsy, and her father had said earlier in the week that it may have played a part in her disappearance as she had been warned by doctors she was at risk of sudden death from the condition. She had not been seen since about 4pm on 7 November in Manor Gardens, Swanage. An hour earlier she was captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael’s Garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative.

She was said to be wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers. The black jacket she had on was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens.

Forensic investigations have concluded at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be the homes of two of those previously arrested. A postmortem examination is due to take place.